Structure of the human mTOR complex I and its implications for rapamycin inhibition

Mol Cell. 2010 Jun 11;38(5):768-74. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2010.05.017.

Abstract

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates cell growth in response to the nutrient and energy status of the cell, and its deregulation is common in human cancers. Little is known about the overall architecture and subunit organization of this essential signaling complex. We have determined the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the fully assembled human mTORC1 by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Our analyses reveal that mTORC1 is an obligate dimer with an overall rhomboid shape and a central cavity. The dimeric interfaces are formed by interlocking interactions between the mTOR and raptor subunits. Extended incubation with FKBP12-rapamycin compromises the structural integrity of mTORC1 in a stepwise manner, leading us to propose a model in which rapamycin inhibits mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6K1 through different mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / chemistry
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Humans
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary*
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR
  • Sirolimus / chemistry
  • Sirolimus / metabolism*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Tacrolimus Binding Protein 1A / chemistry
  • Tacrolimus Binding Protein 1A / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Protein Subunits
  • Proteins
  • RPTOR protein, human
  • Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR
  • Transcription Factors
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Tacrolimus Binding Protein 1A
  • Sirolimus